357/38 and powder coating: Size before or after?

[downzero]

I used to size both before and after, but now I size only after.

[RedHawk357Mag]

Top row second from the left, you can make out the faint out line of the ring around the base of the bullet. Once again, a similar example of this process shot patterns at twenty yards benched when tested. Sanding bottoms is definitely a NOGO in my limited testing. The NOE hand tool for cleaning bases left a coarse finsh worse than sanding.

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[mehavey]

no trauma from resizing aside from the raised ridge on base

Shoot`em as-is. No sanding.
You want that protective base layer.

[HATCH]

Sizing should always be the last step.
Chris

You want your bullet to be as uniform as possible.
If you size then coat without sizing again then your bullets will not be the same diameter as the coating isn’t a uniform process.

I started using hitek and after coating I toss them around in case lube prior to sizing. It makes it easier with less damage to the coating.


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[Burnt Fingers]

You want your bullet to be as uniform as possible.
If you size then coat without sizing again then your bullets will not be the same diameter as the coating isn’t a uniform process.

I started using hitek and after coating I toss them around in case lube prior to sizing. It makes it easier with less damage to the coating.


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They make a lube for that. http://hi-performancebulletcoatings.com/sizing-lube/

It's an amazing product.

[Burnt Fingers]

Top row second from the left, you can make out the faint out line of the ring around the base of the bullet. Once again, a similar example of this process shot patterns at twenty yards benched when tested. Sanding bottoms is definitely a NOGO in my limited testing. The NOE hand tool for cleaning bases left a coarse finsh worse than sanding.

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Sanding lead?

IMHO not the smartest thing to do.

[Castinator]

Upon further review, I do believe I've had some curing issues, possibly related to contamination. Still not a fan of 358 molds dropping in the 36X's, but I think I have resolved the curing problems and the PC is surviving the downsizing and hammer tests.

[AlHunt]

I don't know what it is with Lee molds and 38 caliber, but this is the second one that drops like .360. Obviously any powdercoat is going to be taken off with a 358 die. And it's brand new, so I doubt it's an obstruction issue.

I think you should try a few as a test.


I just did a few hundred Lee SWC in 38 caliber (can't remember the die number off hand), they dropped a little over .360, I PC'd them and sized to .358. I didn't lose any powder coating. In fact, my 9mm RN bullets drop at over .360 and I can PC then size to .356 without any scraping.

Good luck, whatever you do.

[mehavey]

Properly cured bullet PC will not "strip off" when sized.
The coating will simply swage in tighter.

Trust me...

[BrutalAB]

They make a lube for that. http://hi-performancebulletcoatings.com/sizing-lube/

It's an amazing product.

I use a little hornady unique case lube while sizing. Interesting that there is a product specifically for this now. No reason it shouldnt work on powder coat i suppose?

[Yooper003]

I always size after casting, installing GC then if needed, then PC. First sizing is .001 smaller than final sizing after PC. If GC is installed I wipe base on paper towel as I set boolit on tray.